Report: Rockets express interest in Paul Pierce, Spencer Hawes

Marion is not the disruptive defender and strong finisher he once was, but he is still solid in limited roles. He could be a good pickup for strong team in need a veteran.

30. Shawn Marion, F, Dallas Mavericks

Marion is not the disruptive defender and strong finisher he once was, but he is still solid in limited roles. He could be a good pickup for strong team in need a veteran.

Photo: Glenn James / NBAE/Getty Images

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29. Vince Carter, G/F, Dallas Mavericks

Carter might not be amazing as often, but he still shows flashes and has enough left in the rest of his game to be valuable off the bench.

29. Vince Carter, G/F, Dallas Mavericks

Carter might not be amazing as often, but he still shows flashes and has enough left in the rest of his game to be valuable off the bench.

Photo: Tom Pennington / Getty Images

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28. Andray Blatche, F, Brooklyn Nets

Blatche did a nice job remaking his reputation last season as a more reliable professional, though teams are likely to remember the Washington years. He is enough of a scorer to help teams in the right role. less

28. Andray Blatche, F, Brooklyn Nets

Blatche did a nice job remaking his reputation last season as a more reliable professional, though teams are likely to remember the Washington years. He is enough of a

Allen has yet to say that he will be back for another season, but if he returns, it would likely be only to play for the Heat.

24. Ray Allen, G, Miami Heat

Allen has yet to say that he will be back for another season, but if he returns, it would likely be only to play for the Heat.

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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23. Josh McRoberts, F, Charlotte Hornets

McRoberts has done a good job making himself a valuable piece that would help a variety of teams as a range shooting power forward. He was a key in Charlotte, and could attract interest from a variety of strong teams. less

23. Josh McRoberts, F, Charlotte Hornets

McRoberts has done a good job making himself a valuable piece that would help a variety of teams as a range shooting power forward. He was a key in Charlotte, and

Turner was an understandable gamble for the Pacers, but he did not pan out at all. He could be a good bargain pickup young enough to grow into his potential.

22. Evan Turner, G, Indiana Pacers

Turner was an understandable gamble for the Pacers, but he did not pan out at all. He could be a good bargain pickup young enough to grow into his potential.

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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21. P.J. Tucker, F, Phoenix Suns

The Suns love Tucker’s defense and toughness and seem determined to keep those qualities around by matching offers he will surely get. It’s unlikely someone will offer more than Phoenix would match. less

21. P.J. Tucker, F, Phoenix Suns

The Suns love Tucker’s defense and toughness and seem determined to keep those qualities around by matching offers he will surely get. It’s unlikely someone will offer

Thomas proved to be a reliable, often elite backcourt scorer, but might still best suited to coming off the bench.

16. Isaiah Thomas, G, Sacramento Kings

Thomas proved to be a reliable, often elite backcourt scorer, but might still best suited to coming off the bench.

Photo: Rocky Widner / NBAE/Getty Images

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15. Paul Pierce, F, Brooklyn Nets

Pierce still brings flashes of The Truth, if they are no longer as reliable. He still can be the best player on the floor at times, especially late in games. He seems certain to remain with the Nets. less

15. Paul Pierce, F, Brooklyn Nets

Pierce still brings flashes of The Truth, if they are no longer as reliable. He still can be the best player on the floor at times, especially late in games. He seems certain

Gasol fell off badly last season, especially defensively, but some of that might be attributed to the issues of the Lakers as a whole. It seems time for both sides to move on, with many expecting Gasol to be a key pick up for a contender even if he is starting to show the years. less

14. Pau Gasol, F/C, Los Angeles Lakers

Gasol fell off badly last season, especially defensively, but some of that might be attributed to the issues of the Lakers as a whole. It seems time for both sides to

Much of the Wizards’ surprising and long-awaited success came from Gortat fitting in so well at center. His athleticism and attitude would work with any team with a need at center, but Washington is extremely unlikely to let him go. less

13. Marcin Gortat, C, Washington Wizards

Much of the Wizards’ surprising and long-awaited success came from Gortat fitting in so well at center. His athleticism and attitude would work with any team with

Hayward still has not produced the way his skills would seem to allow, but some of that could be from being a top scorer on a generally awful offensive team. The Jazz have seem determined to match any offer the restricted free agent receives. less

12. Gordon Hayward, F, Utah Jazz

Hayward still has not produced the way his skills would seem to allow, but some of that could be from being a top scorer on a generally awful offensive team. The Jazz have

The versatile Stephenson is a constant threat to put up a triple-double or mess up spectacularly. Someone could gamble a large contract on his talent, but the Pacers seems committed to making it work. less

11. Lance Stephenson, G/F, Indiana Pacers

The versatile Stephenson is a constant threat to put up a triple-double or mess up spectacularly. Someone could gamble a large contract on his talent, but the Pacers

An underrated offensive talent, Monroe was overshadowed by Andre Drummond and might not fit with a large contract because of last season’s signing of Josh Smith. The Pistons, however, are not in position to let talent just walk away. less

10. Greg Monroe, F/C, Detroit Pistons

An underrated offensive talent, Monroe was overshadowed by Andre Drummond and might not fit with a large contract because of last season’s signing of Josh Smith. The

Deng seems likely to seek a greater contract than the contenders would be able to offer, but he has the sort of versatile game on both ends of the floor that could put a good team over the top. Depended on where he lands, he could be one of the more underrated pickups of the summer. less

9. Luol Deng, F, Cleveland Cavaliers

Deng seems likely to seek a greater contract than the contenders would be able to offer, but he has the sort of versatile game on both ends of the floor that could put a

A restricted free agent after three years as one of the league’s most underpaid players, Parsons will cash in. The Rockets are committed to matching any offer sheet he signs, but the timing can be tricky if things drag on with one of their top targets. less

8. Chandler Parsons, F, Rockets

A restricted free agent after three years as one of the league’s most underpaid players, Parsons will cash in. The Rockets are committed to matching any offer sheet he signs,

A restricted free agent, it is unclear whether the Suns would match any offer, but Bledsoe is sure to get significant contract offers. He has shown himself to be a dynamic scorer and disruptive defender that will attract attention from teams with cap room. less

7. Eric Bledsoe, G , Phoenix Suns

A restricted free agent, it is unclear whether the Suns would match any offer, but Bledsoe is sure to get significant contract offers. He has shown himself to be a dynamic

Lowry drove the Raptors’ strong season and is considered their top priority, but he has said he wants to compete for championships, and Toronto does not seem to be joining that echelon of contender any time soon. less

6. Kyle Lowry, G, Toronto Raptors

Lowry drove the Raptors’ strong season and is considered their top priority, but he has said he wants to compete for championships, and Toronto does not seem to be joining

Wade Finals fade brought up concerns that his troublesome knees could send him on the down side of his career, but he looked strong through the playoffs and similar things were said of Manu Ginobili a year ago. Miami seems determined to have him retire with the Heat. less

5. Dwyane Wade, G, Miami Heat

Wade Finals fade brought up concerns that his troublesome knees could send him on the down side of his career, but he looked strong through the playoffs and similar things were

After a fine, bounce-back season that keeps him among the league’s upper-echelon stars, Nowitzki laughed off the idea that he would be going anywhere. Mark Cuban has swatted all efforts to pry Nowitzki out of Dallas. less

4. Dirk Nowitzki, F, Dallas Mavericks

After a fine, bounce-back season that keeps him among the league’s upper-echelon stars, Nowitzki laughed off the idea that he would be going anywhere. Mark Cuban has

Anthony had been clear that he would opt out and check out his options elsewhere. The Knicks will have a hard time quickly rebuilding a lottery team and Anthony said he will look for the best chance to win, but he would have to leave far more salary than anyone has to join a contender. less

2. Carmelo Anthony, F, New York Knicks

Anthony had been clear that he would opt out and check out his options elsewhere. The Knicks will have a hard time quickly rebuilding a lottery team and Anthony said he

Opting out of his contract does not mean James will be out of Miami. He will expect the Heat to put together a more complete roster, which will not be easy, and has been known to leave town to join forces with other stars. less

1. LeBron James, F, Miami Heat

Opting out of his contract does not mean James will be out of Miami. He will expect the Heat to put together a more complete roster, which will not be easy, and has been known

Pierce, 36, was traded to the Nets last season after having spent the first 15 seasons of his career with the Celtics.

The 10-time All-Star averaged 13.5 points per game with Brooklyn, who traded head coach Jason Kidd to the Bucks on Monday.

The Clippers could be the front-runner for the veteran Pierce, who grew up in Los Angeles and won a championship with Doc Rivers in Boston.

It was a busy first night of free agency for the Rockets as general manager Daryl Morey and head coach Kevin McHale met with former Rockets point guard Kyle Lowry in Philadelphia. Per Stein, the team also contacted center Spencer Hawes, who finished last season with the Cavaliers.

Turner Sports’ David Aldridge reports the Rockets will talk with small forward James Johnson, who appeared in 52 games with the Grizzlies last season, before their Wednesday meeting with Anthony.

Even at 36, Paul Pierce was a strong contributor for the Nets last season. (John Minchillo/Associated Press)